Get Ready: MOT Costs Could Top £80 by 2034

Car Maintenance: The Toast‑On‑The‑Side of Your Wallet

Ever feel like your car is a picky pet that only eats when the check‑out line looks forgiving? You’re not alone. 25 % of drivers admit they’ve put pesky fixes—like a new tyre or a patched windscreen—on the back burner because the price tag is scary.

What the Future Might Look Like

Scientists at Scrap Car Comparison have tried their luck at predicting the cost of the usual suspect repairs five, ten, even fifty years down the road. The math involves inflation; the result is a price tag that can feel like an alarm clock that’s stuck on “thousands of pounds”.

Clutch Replacement – 2024: £750+ (kit + labour).
In ten years: Over £1,100. Raise the alarm and buy a new car.
Annual MOT – 2024: £55.
Projected 2034: £80.
Full Service – 2024: Approx. £300.
2034 Forecast: Near £380.
Tyre Replacement – Every 20,000‑30,000 miles: £283 in 2024.
Ten years later: £415 per tyre.
Fifty years? £1,919 per tyre! Four wheels could cost £7,600.
Brake Pads & Front Coil Springs – from £309‑£330 now to £300+ in a decade.

David Kottaun, the bossy Operations Manager, says, “If we keep up the inflation trend the next generation will face pour‑thousands bills just to keep the wheels turning.” He also warns that half‑a‑million people are skipping MOTs because the price is a pain—meaning dangerous, invisible failures that can turn into expensive catastrophe.

Why Are You Skipping Routine Checks?

Too pricey: One in six drivers (16 %) avoid the MOT or service entirely.
Busy life: “Why wait for a breakdown?” – because you haven’t had one yet.
Not aware: Future tire bursts, clunky clutches, brake slowness – all road‑dangerous.

In short, don’t ignore the beep‑beep beep: an early fix now is a cheap future.

Selling the Idea: Keep Car Repairs Affordable, Keep Roads Safe

“We hope your wallet feels light,” Kottaun says. “We’re fighting the price‑yog… making sure you can still drive to work, see family, or score that weekend golf score.”